CHINA READY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 228, 25 September 1940, Page 7

CHINA READY.

FOR INVADING JAPS. U.S. Urged To Replace "Empty Words" With Deeds. United Press Association. —Copyright. (Reed. 1 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 24. The newspaper "Takung Pao" said French realism was synonymous with surrender, states a message from the Chinese capital. "The time has arrived," said the paper, "for America to adopt effective action in the western Pacific in place of her empty words, which are useless." The Chinese Cabinet is understood to have protested to France and will hold France responsible for any losses or damage incurred as a result of the IndoChina agreement. It ie understood that the Chinese have proclaimed martial law throughout the provinces of Yunnan and Kwangsi, which border on Indo-China. "China had plenty of time to prepare for this eventuality, and our actions will proceed according to a prearranged plan," said a Chinese spokesman in Chungking, commenting on the FrancoJapanese agreement. The spokesman estimated that 200.000 Chinese were massed along the border ready to resist any Japanese advance toward Kunming on a large scale. The destruction of all communication facilities on the border is progressing. Whole sections of the Indo-China railway inside Chinese territory are being removed. Tlie evacuation of the Chinese population and Government institutions in Kunming is being speeded up, as it is feared that the Japanese shortly will resort to severe aerial bombardment of the ill-defended city from their newlyacquired air bases. "Peaceful Intentions." The Tokyo newspaper, Tomiuru Shiinbun." says the Japanese Government will reject unhesitatingly any protect by a third country against Japan's entry into Indo-China. because Japan's intention* are "extremely peaceful and constructive."

Moreover, says the paper, the action ha« been taken with the full understanding of the French Government. It adds that some of the third Powers which interfered in the negotiations from the outset are already showing a threatening attitude and "contending that the entry of Japanese troops is an improper military action. The Domei news agency correspondent at Honolulu reports that the United States ie strengthening her Atlantic squadrons by gradually withdrawing units from the Pacific

GREATER EAST ASIA. JAPAN'S NEW LAND SCHEME. (Reed. 10 a.m.) TOKYO, Sept. 24. Cabinet has approved a lan-1 planning scheme involving Japan. Mam-hukuo and China, and aiming at the development to the highest state of a defence system for the establishment of the widely heralded Greater East Asia, common prosperity sphere. The plan schedules decentralisation of indu?tries to fit varied local, natural and other conditions.